As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
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I've been to Disney about 1 week before Christmas, but was playing with the idea of actually being there on Christmas next year. Has anyone else done this? Am I crazy? Also, I would really want to do MVMCP again and the Osborne lights, but not sure how long they both go for. Thanks in advance.
I would have to say you are crazy to want to be in those crowds. Christmas time at WDW is nice but I would rather go sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Everything is the same except you don't have the crowds.
We went last year for 12/23 - 1/1. It was busy, but we are used to busy as our recent trips included an Easter week and the final weekend of Star Wars weekends (two years running) spent at DHS. We went anticipating that the trip would be about enjoying the things that were distinct to Christmas and not about riding rides. We arrived at parks before opening time and enjoyed rides while the crowds were light and then just enjoyed the atmosphere, used fastpasses, and visited less popular attractions after things got busy.
There were no MVMCPs, but they did the MVMCP parade daily in the afternoon and we saw snow on Main Street at night. It was common for parks to reach capacity and close to additional guests by midafternoon. Wednesday, 12/28 was the worst; we were at Epcot and every other park reached capacity that day. We were used to crowds but that day the walkways were especially smooshy!
Lines for CS restaurants in the parks got crazy as soon as the parks filled up; on days that we stuck to our plans to eat lunch early or at less popular places, we were fine. Suppers without ADRs were best enjoyed at resort CS locations.
If you want to go to MK on Christmas day, go early in the day as I hear the park reaches capacity by 10 AM and stops letting people in at that time. If you do go, don't leave or you won't be let back in (even for ADRs). Someone posted pics from Christmas day here:
I think it would be a cool experience, but the crowds alone make it so not worth it for me. Apparently everyone and their brother (and their sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, friend, and friend of friend) thinks it's a cool experience too.
I have heard Epcot and AK are better days for Christmas day, but from the sounds of it, the whole week will be crazy busy regardless.
We've been at Disney for Christmas about five times now. What we now tend to do is go in the run-up to Christmas, stay to enjoy Christmas Day and then get out as soon after as we can to avoid the crowds! They are insane from Christmas Day until New Year's Eve, although there is something very special about spending Christmas itself at WDW.
I'd maybe look at going down the week before and then leaving on say the 26/27 December....
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MVMCP usually stops around the 21st. At that time the parade starts running during the day instead of during the party. Osborne Lights run through the end of the month, I think.
Christmas Day is ridiculously busy. We've been there twice on Christmas. We found Epcot to be quiet in the morning, but by early afternoon, the park was packed and by dinner, hard to move. I can't imagine how MK would be on the day of....that's where we went for Christmas Eve and it was PACKED.
So if you go, be prepared to be in large crowds, large lines and not getting many rides done.
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Originally Posted by HiddenMickey
MVMCP usually stops around the 21st. At that time the parade starts running during the day instead of during the party. Osborne Lights run through the end of the month, I think.
Christmas Day is ridiculously busy. We've been there twice on Christmas. We found Epcot to be quiet in the morning, but by early afternoon, the park was packed and by dinner, hard to move. I can't imagine how MK would be on the day of....that's where we went for Christmas Eve and it was PACKED.
So if you go, be prepared to be in large crowds, large lines and not getting many rides done.
We are planning an Epcot day on Christmas Day this year instead of the MK. Already planned on going early and trying to get as much done as we can. Have a dinner ADR at GG, and then plan on finding a bench and parking it until Illuminations begins!
I've been to WDW Christmas week 7 times... it is busy! Crazy? Heck no! I could not think of a better place to spend Christmas. The hours for the parks are extended a great deal. Often MK is open until midnight (or later). That is a great time to just about walk on rides (after Wishes). The weather will make a difference... cold days will be less busy then warm sunny days. It can get VERY cold in December. I always laughed at my sister when she said, "It is cold here in Florida." you know because cold for them is like 70. It does, however get down to the 40s and sometimes 30s in the winter. A few times I have actually worn my winter coat (I like in Michigan). The parade for MVMCP will play as the afternoon parade (some days they do it 2 times) all Christmas week until after New Years. Also Wishes will switch to "Holiday Wishes". Like others have said MVMCP finishes the Friday (or Saturday I think) before Christmas.
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Robin Twitter name: @NKsDogwalker Find me on FB: robinkay6573@yahoo.com 38th Birthday with Mom, Dad and friends 2011 Next Trip: Cruise on Jewel of the Seas for Christmas 2012
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Oh, and if you want to eat anywhere, I'd suggest ADRs for your meals. Getting into a CS is hard to do in the parks, and a TS meal is impossible without an ADR.
Oh, and if you want to eat anywhere, I'd suggest ADRs for your meals. Getting into a CS is hard to do in the parks, and a TS meal is impossible without an ADR.
I second that!! I might be hard to get something now... we done Whispering Canyon a couple times. YUM. Many places also have a special Christmas menu.
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Robin Twitter name: @NKsDogwalker Find me on FB: robinkay6573@yahoo.com 38th Birthday with Mom, Dad and friends 2011 Next Trip: Cruise on Jewel of the Seas for Christmas 2012
YES, Go it is a lot of fun on/at christmas. I recommend staying away from Magic Kingdom on the 25th. We did HS on 12/25/10. It was very quiet and light on crowds in the morning, afternoon had picked up, but still not super busy. We had dinner at Mama Melrosa's. Even with ADRs we still waited about 30-40 mins beyond our ADR time. After dinner we visited the Osborne lights and really by then the crowds were lightening up again.
We've been at Disney for Christmas about five times now. What we now tend to do is go in the run-up to Christmas, stay to enjoy Christmas Day and then get out as soon after as we can to avoid the crowds! They are insane from Christmas Day until New Year's Eve, although there is something very special about spending Christmas itself at WDW.
I'd maybe look at going down the week before and then leaving on say the 26/27 December....
This is what we are doing this year. We are arriving on the 21st mid morning and staying until the 26th mid afternoon....no parks on that day. So we are hoping for a calm before the storm so to speak. Our first trip was on the 26th of December and it was Crazy. But this is our third, with one being in the midst of HEAT in August before school started, so we are looking at taking our time and not being rushed...if we miss something again, I guess we will have to go to Disney again LOL
We are planning an Epcot day on Christmas Day this year instead of the MK. Already planned on going early and trying to get as much done as we can. Have a dinner ADR at GG, and then plan on finding a bench and parking it until Illuminations begins!
We will also be in Epcot on Christmas day..we have ADRs at Akershus for breakfast and Candlelight Processional Dinner at Biergarten... Can't wait.
I have gone to MK on Christmas Eve the past 3 years and will do so again this year. I arrive before the gates open and stay until the park closes While the park does fill up by the afternoon, I enjoy going on some of the rides that I normally don't do as well as some of the other entertainment offered in the park. The parade and fireworks are the same as MVMCP, and the snowfall makes the holiday even more magical. I already have my ADR for Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner so now just have to wait for the trip to arrive!
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They are insane from Christmas Day until New Year's Eve, although there is something very special about spending Christmas itself at WDW. 
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